Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the way the Department of Health has dealt with the medical card issue. Despite the pressures on the health services, more than 165,000 new medical cards were issued in 2012. As we sit here today, the two millionth medical card is about to be issued. The figures for 1 January 2013 indicate 1,984,000 medical cards or GP visit cards have been issued. It is an indication of how the Department and Government are dealing with the difficulties people are facing by making sure they have access to health care.

There has been a lot of criticism of the Minister for Health over the last two years. It is time we had a debate to highlight the progress that has been made in that time and to examine what needs to be done over the next two years to continue to provide, maintain and improve our health service. It is important to have that debate at an early opportunity because many of the negatives are being highlighted but none of the positives. Those positives are that despite the cutbacks and the financial pressures faced by the Government, we can still provide the services people require. Long may that continue but we should have that debate so I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Health to come in and discuss this issue and see how we can further improve value for money.

As I noted previously, the cost of drugs increased by more than 230% in ten years. We must cut costs in this area and other areas, while ensuring services are maintained.